The Pros And Cons Of Blind Obedience

George Washington demonstrated Remarkable leadership in a long and difficult war. Being the commander of the continental army he faced many challenges that some people would not be able to overcome. One reason the American army started to act more like an army rather than a bunch of farmers and workers was because of George Washington. He had a huge impact on the war and the starting of the revolution, Its safe to say he had a big impression on the way everything turned out. Not only did he have a huge impact on the war side of the revolution he also had an impact on the political side.

Washington was a great president because he never sought command and was a very personable person. “After risking his life and the lives of his troops to lead the fight for independence, Washington returned the power to the people and the representatives they elected"(George Washington: 6 Important Events in First President 's Political Career 2014, September 7). After the war the people wanted him to be the king, but he said the people fought and they should rule "A near mutiny was avoided when Washington convinced Congress to grant a five-year bonus for soldiers in March 1783"(George Washington, 2016). He took back control over the army a few times after he left office to keep the peace. "Thomas Jefferson, who served with Washington in the House of Burgesses, wrote: "On the whole, his character was, in its mass, perfect" (George Washington, 2013).

However, George Washington was an powerful inspiring force, doing everything he could to uplift his men, he worked day and night without leaving like all of his officers. He tried to do everything in his power to get his army through the winter. The soldiers, despite

He gained admiration from his noble and outstanding leadership. During the battle at Monmouth, New Jersey, soldiers were confused, but George’s presence “stopped the retreat and confusion of the troops,” said Layfette, a French aristocrat and military officer. George Washington was known as visionary leader from his strategic tactics. He made various issues that he was faced with during the Revolutionary War applicable to his soldiers and continually set goals. One of the main goals was to win the war for independence.

• Lexington and Concord April 1775- Travelled to Second Continental Congress in Philadelpia in military uniform preparing for war. June 15, John Adams nominated Washington for major general and commander-in-chief of the Continental Army • he had the prestige, military experience and charisma for the job and he had been advising Congress for months, political experience • The Siege of Boston june 1775 to march 1776 was the formative event in Washington 's development as a military and political leader, for it was there that he first responded to the logistical problems inherent to the American cause in the Revolutionary War with his trademark determination, leadership ability, and sound decision making http://www.conservapedia.com/George_Washington#American_Revolution

The American Revolution changed George Washington forever, both for what he stood for and the respect that he gained from the whole world. Washington led many battles throughout the American Revolution whether he won or not he was still known and feared for his perseverance. Once he set out to accomplish a task he would do it to the best of his abilities. Joseph Ellis summarizes the contributions made by Washington in the American Revolution in his first paragraph of chapter three with this thorough introduction "He was forty-three years old when he rode out of Mount Vernon toward Philadelphia. He was fifty-one when he arrived back at Mount Vernon on Christmas Eve, 1783 the most famous man in the world the cause he headed had not only smashed two British armies and destroyed the first British Empire, it had also set in motion a political movement committed to principles that were destined to topple the monarchical and aristocratic dynasties of the Old World."

Society and government require people to be obedient towards authority, but is it always the best thing to do? During the aftermath of World War II many of the major leaders of the Nazi regime were put on trial for crimes against humanity (History.com). These trials were known as the Nuremburg war trials, were most of the convicted proclaimed that they were “just following orders” (McLeod 584). Being an accomplice to a crime is also against the law. In the Nuremburg trials, those accused were not breaking the law that their government had created, they were actually following it.

Other changes that occurred cower things like profession attitude and government. From a letter written by George Washington sent to Robert Orme, it is stated that he wished to obtain knowledge of the military profession, and he wished to serve under General Braddocks direction Prior to the wars beginning this situation could have been very different. Although this was written one year into war. Because of the war people had very different attitudes toward fighting and leadership, and this was one of them. People wanted to learn how to fight back and they believed they could get there under the General.

Soldiers that would endure the hardships and fight for the independence of themselves and their families were vital to America prevailing over the British. Washington had fought with the British in the French and Indian War. He knew the landscape and the tactics of the British Army. This proved important to the success of the

Obedience is the heart of political power because every action a government takes relies on the people 's support, which means without it the government would be nothing. We the people are the beams holding a heavy ceiling that is the government. If we stop supporting it, it will collapse, and be left no more than rubble.

Obedience at My Lai War is never a pleasant event. However, there are times during war when something truly tragic and miserable happens. This was the case for the My Lai massacre during the Vietnam War. A platoon called Charlie Company in Vietnam was getting attacked by guerrilla booby traps and snipers in the area (Kelman & Hamilton, 1989). They started getting frustrated from an enemy they couldn't see or fight.

There were farms and small stores in the area, but there was not enough food to feed all of the soldiers and many became desperate and attempted to steal food from the farmers and food stores. Washington ended up writing to Congress, saying subsistence in the best manner they can ... “I am now convinced, beyond a doubt that unless some great and capital change suddenly takes place… this army must inevitably be reduced to one or other of these three things. Starve, dissolve, or disperse, in order to obtain …” After letting Congress know this, General Washington received a message saying a large British group of troops was nearby (Allen 27).

Many studies have been conducted to ascertain why human’s behavior can be manipulated by authority. One such study, called the “Milgram Obedience Study”, conducted by Dr. Stanley Milgram illustrated how far individuals can be pushed by an authoritative presence. The conditions that these individuals experienced created a stressful atmosphere for all involved; however, many individuals stated their concerns but continued under duress. Is this displayed behavior a flaw in our thinking or is it that humans are hard-wired for obedience?

The citizen's adoration for him was endless, and his achievements and history still lives on today in our books and part of our education system. Washington did not start out to be a president, "He believed so strongly in that (running 2 terms only) concept that he refused to run for a third term." (Paragraph 3, Father of Our Nation), before his presidency, he was a general who fought at the front line of most battles. With such incredulous leadership skills, this lead him to becoming the well known Commander in Chief of the American Army. This title stuck with him when he was rewarded the title of presidency.

During the Holocaust many Nazi officials committed crimes and many were tried in the Nuremberg Trials. For example, “Dr. Ernst Kaltenbrunner was the head of the Reich Central Security Office, and was second in command of the ss, he was executed because of multiple accounts